2023-11-12 20:00:00
After Years of Dedicated Work, Pieter Ruijzendaal Finds a Support System at Inloophuis Passie
Pieter Ruijzendaal had been a dedicated and hard worker his entire life. He never complained and had never taken a day off due to sickness. That all changed on May 27, 2022, when Pieter received the devastating news that he had a brain tumor, and not just any brain tumor, but the most aggressive form.
This marked the beginning of a tough journey for Pieter, but he found solace and support at Inloophuis Passie in Lelystad. “Sitting at home was driving me crazy, and I also wanted to talk about something other than just my illness,” Pieter explained.
The tumor, already 3 centimeters in size, was removed, and Pieter underwent radiation and chemotherapy. He participated in a new study involving higher doses of radiation and less frequent sessions. The scans initially appeared positive, and Pieter thought he was going to beat the odds. However, in May 2023, the tumor returned and began to grow once again.
Pieter compared the tumor to a tree with roots, stating that the tree had been removed, but the roots were still present and causing the cancer to regrow. Despite the aggressive form and the average life expectancy of one and a half years, Pieter remained determined to fight.
The journey took a terrifying turn when Pieter experienced an epileptic seizure, which led to the discovery of the brain tumor. Despite these daunting challenges, Pieter remained resilient.
Finding comfort and support at Inloophuis Passie, Pieter shared, “I saw something about the drop-in center on Facebook and I decided to just take a look. I wanted to see other people experiencing the same thing. The great thing is that we are not just talking about our disease here. If you want that, you can of course. But it’s not necessary and I like that.”
The drop-in center, founded in 2013 by Klasien van Olst and Joke Korff, provides support, activities, and a listening ear for individuals dealing with illness. Pieter now visits the center weekly, finding solace in the sense of community and the various activities offered. “This is my way of getting my mind off things. There are also plenty of activities you can participate in,” Pieter shared.
Inloophuis Passie has been a source of comfort and support for Pieter and others in similar circumstances, offering a space for individuals to connect and find strength as they navigate their own challenging journeys.]
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